Nagelsmann Names Germany Squad for Final World Cup Tests

Two Debutants and Six Returnees in the Squad

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has presented his 26-man squad in Frankfurt am Main for the final international matches before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Germany will face Switzerland in Basel on March 27 and Ghana in Stuttgart on March 30. For Nagelsmann, it is the last opportunity to assess his players under competitive conditions before he has to submit the final World Cup squad to FIFA at the end of May.

The first-time call-ups of Bayern Munich talents Lennart Karl and Jonas Urbig, who have only played for the U21 national team so far, are particularly noteworthy. In addition, six experienced professionals are returning to the squad: Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Pascal Groß (Brighton), Anton Stach (Leeds United), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Deniz Undav and Josha Vagnoman (both VfB Stuttgart).

Musiala Injured – Stach a Surprise

The most prominent absentee is Jamal Musiala. The 23-year-old Bayern star is still suffering from the effects of a serious leg injury he sustained at the FIFA Club World Cup last summer. Nagelsmann emphasized that they did not want to take any risks. Niclas Füllkrug, Karim Adeyemi and Angelo Stiller are also not in the squad.

According to Sportschau, the only real surprise in the nomination is Anton Stach from Leeds United. The midfielder is impressing in the Premier League, although Nagelsmann had not previously considered him a starter. Former international Dietmar Hamann criticized the nomination of Leroy Sané and saw other players as more deserving candidates.

Nagelsmann's Philosophy: Maintain Core, Integrate Talents

The national coach clearly explained his squad strategy: "When making the nominations, it was important to us that the core of the team remains and can continue to find itself. In addition, we would also like to take a look at players who we don't know so well in this structure." At the same time, according to DFB, he made it clear: "This is not yet a World Cup nomination" – but the March squad and the final World Cup squad should be closely linked.

Manageable World Cup Group – But No Walkover

At the draw in December, Germany was drawn into Group E with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curaçao. On paper, a solvable task, but with Ecuador and Ivory Coast, there are two uncomfortable opponents waiting. Germany is considered the favorite in the group, but in the global field of favorites, experts rank the German team behind Spain, England, France, Brazil and Argentina.

After the disappointing results of the last tournaments – the preliminary round exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the round of 16 at the home European Championship in 2024 – Nagelsmann is under pressure to lead Germany back to the top of the world. The tests against Switzerland and Ghana will show how far the team has already come on this path.